Rather than join
the NBA, Nevada forward Nick Fazekas rolled the dice and returned to Reno for
his senior year. Now the Wolf Pack is off to its best start in 55 years and
laughing all the way, thanks to its star's impeccable timing

Shuler: Absolutely [laughs]. Who knows, if I had not gotten injured, I may have been able to bounce back in the NFL. I was with a great team with the Raiders at the end of my career [in 1999]. But everything happens for a reason, and I'm real excited about this opportunity.

SI: How would you compare the political press with the sports media?

Shuler: The sports press is more difficult. Let's say your left tackle whiffs for two sacks in a game. We know that's not good, but how do you say that? Do you say, "He's horrible; he can't get the job done?" That's a more difficult question than being asked, "What are we going to do about ethics issues?"

SI: You did an interview with a website called stopshuler.com, which a Redskins fan started to try to keep you from returning to the nation's capital. Did you check out the site after you won?

Shuler: I would like to tell you that I saw the website, but my staff only told me about it. I can handle those things. If you can't laugh at yourself, then you don't have a very good sense of humor.

SI: Which current athlete would make a good politician?

Shuler: Peyton Manning. I really admire that young man.

SI: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has long said that the best job in America is NFL commissioner. How would she do in that position?

Shuler: You know what, I think the commissioner right now has done a great job. And what Paul Tagliabue did was incredible. That would be some big shoes to fill.

Before he became the premier postseason performer of his generation, the Patriots icon was a middling college quarterback who invited skepticism, even scorn, from fans and his coaches. That was all—and that was everything